Abstract: In order to feed single-portions of ground coffee arranged along a transportation tape in a defined and automatic manner to the brewing chamber of a coffee machine, the invention provides a mechanical interface assembly which comprises means for fixing a portion of the transportation tape in a well defined position. The interface assembly comprises a first interface member connected to or being part of a container receiving the transportation tape with the single-portions of ground coffee, and a second interface member designed as a supporting frame member adapted to receive the container with the transporting tape. The first and second interface members can be mechanically coupled to each other. The mechanical interface assembly is further provided with positioning elements for fixing it in the coffee machine in a well defined position.

Abstract: In a method for preparing coffee drinks with the help of a plurality of coffee powder portions arranged along a transporting tape, a single coffee powder portion is removed from a storage container by pulling out the transporting tape to such an extent that the following coffee powder portions remain in the container. Then, the tape is cut behind the first coffee powder portion, and the new initial portion of the transporting tape is fixed in the region of the outlet opening of the container. In this way, the unused coffee powder portions remain fresh and keep their full flavor, even during an extended storage period.The coffee machine suitable for performing this method comprises a two part brewing chamber. One portion of the brewing chamber is not only movable to and fro the other portion, but also rotatable and furthermore equipped with a catch member for grasping the initial portion of the transporting tape.

Abstract: The brewing apparatus (2) comprises lateral guiding and holding plates (6, 7) for securing and guiding individual components thereof. A movable brewing piston (39) is guided in a cylindrical guideway (8) provided with an external thread (93). A nut (9) rotatable on the guideway has teeth (10) at its periphery and is moved on the guideway by a motor-driven, elongated gearwheel (11). Lateral guide arms (14, 15) engage the nut and the brewing piston and control the pivoting movement of a brewing cylinder (82). The brewing cylinder has two arms provided with teeth (86, 87), these arms co-operating with a drive part (26) for moving an ejection piston (107) in the brewing cylinder. The drive part for the ejection piston is designed in such a way that it travels only half as far as the ejection piston and thus allows the coffee machine to have less headroom.